Respiratory infection of over-reaction?

Hi all,

I'm concerned that dear Polly may have the beginnings of a respiratory infection. Given that getting her to a vet would involve a 1.5 hour train ride and a decent amount of stress for her, I thought I'd check here before doing that. (The logisitics aren't normally that complicated, but I'm at a research station at the moment, so...)

She was wrapped around my neck and sitting on my head last night; my ear was against her side and it seemed to me like I could hear a sighing sound when she breathed. My girlfriend, who was in the same room, didn't hear anything. Shortly afterwards, Polly hissed, which was clearly audible. I didn't hear any pops and there's no discharge from her mouth or nostrils. She was in a bit of a bad mood, so is it possible that what I heard was simply heavy breathing? However, she did spend one night at 98% humidity about a week ago*, so I'm a bit concerned as a result. Even though I should leave her alone (she's in a new box), I'll take her out tonight and listen again. Is anything else I can check for? Am I over-reacting?

* (I wanted to move her & Monty into new (plastic!) boxes....I had them set up and everything was fine, but I didn't take into account the possibility that she would knock over the water bowl, which soaked everything and sent the humidity straight up. I've since fixed the boxes and buttressed the water bowl, so everything should be fine now. They moved in properly last night.)

Thanks.

edit: I forgot to mention that she's been behaving normally -- she's her usual active, somewhat shy, curious, friendly self and doesn't seem at all unhealthy. The final point is that she's going into shed (she's just gone pink)...normally, I would bump the humidity to 70-75%, but if she's facing an RI, is that wise?

You mentioned that she is going into shed.. sometimes when the old skin is loosening in side the nasal passages, it can make them whistle a bit when they breathe. You mentioned no discharge and she hissed cleanly.. I would probably say it's from her going into shed.. however I can't see your snake for myself, and I am not a vet, so I can't tell you for sure.

I would probably let her shed and see how she sounds afterwards.

I would say that from your description, she sounds fine. You may want to check her temps and make sure they are good. Since you brought up that she is going into shed, very good piece of info, alot of times I have noticed that my balls may have some funny sounds while they are breathing during a shed cycle. If you can, I would ensure the temps are good and lower the humidity a bit, and check her out again real good after she sheds.

Thanks for your responses; you helped put me at ease. I'll keep an eye on her during the shed and then thoroughly check her out afterwards.

my snake had a respiratory infection and was covered in hundreds of mites at the same time, it died even after numerous treatments to remove the mites....it was so sad..:(...but now i have a perfectly healthy new snake....:)

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

my snake had a respiratory infection and was covered in hundreds of mites at the same time, it died even after numerous treatments to remove the mites....it was so sad..:(...but now i have a perfectly healthy new snake....:)

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Didn't you treat the repiratory infection as well? And with the numerous treatments available, how were you unable to treat the mites? Good luck with your new snake.

I also had a snake that whistled a bit right before the actual shed. Never heard another odd sound out of her. I agree with Tim, and double check your husbandry. I'd keep a close eye on her just in case. :gj:

From my recent experience with RI...

You can bump the temperature up a few degrees. RI, caught early, can be fought off by the snake naturally with the temperature up just a bit; the increase helps increase the snake's natural defenses against infection.

After the shed, listen intently to the snake in a quiet room. Make sure the snake isn't moving (scales moving through your hands or against your shirt can be distracting and/or sound like popping as well). I recommend holding the snake where its lung is, so you can feel it breathing, or position yourself so you can see the snake breathing while it's head is right in your ear.

Snakes can hold their breath and they also can get excited and exhale "deeply" (think like a human big sigh). If after the shed, you don't hear whistling nor popping, you should be good.

Now that I've listened intently to my snakes breathing, I can "hear" them breathe, but I think I'm just listening closely (akin to putting your ear right in front of a human's nose - you're gonna be able to hear it if you are listening for it!).